[tricecm]

I would be interested in having you all respond in this thread to let us know what your agencies are saying about all the changes. You don't have to mention your agency's name (unless you are moved to). I would just like to piece together what other agencies are saying. It helps us all to know how much credibility to assign our agency when we can compare it to others. It seems that some agencies are more cautious, some more relaxed.

So, speak up all of you! What does your agency say about all the uncertainty? Are they worried? Pessimistic? Optimistic? Let's hear about it!

trice

[Romans828]

Great topic!!

My agency has been really upfront about all of this from the beginning. They are very optimistic! They have been working with the same attorneys and facilitators for many years and have a lot of faith in them. They feel there will be some changes but that cases will proceed. They would not have started this case with me if they thougth it would not finish. We will get all of our money back(minus translation fee, foster care and postage) if things should go haywire.
They also say that nothing has changed since I accepted my referral(April 28th) and that all of the stuff I read is not worth getting uptight about.

[khnath]

Our agency tends to be more conservative. They have suspended giving new referrals for the time being, but they too are optimistic that all cases that are in process will be completed. They are preparing us (post 3-5 cases) to expect delays with the possible implementation of new requirements.

We were told about 2 weeks ago to hold off on our pysch. eval. until they receive more information of what the new reqs. are going to be.

[Bella'sMomToBe]

I noticed my agency has new places to adopt. These are Costa Rica and Panama-both Cetral American countries!! I looked at both of them and they look like very nice and STABLE countries. In addition, the cost is about $5000 less. If I were starting an adoption now, I would forget Guatemala and go with one of these countries. I assume that the agency wants a backup plan in case it doesn't work out in Guatemala.

It made me think too-that if Guatemala continues this nonsense, Americans are eventually going to go elsewhere. Guatemala really needs to get their act together....and soon!!! I really can't say what Guatemalans are thinking...but I know American culture..and if we aren't treated warmly, we just move on. It is the American way.

And while I do want my daughter out of Guatemala and in my arms, AND am doing what I can to make sure this happens, I am wondering when enough is enough??? No, I am not giving up BUT I wonder why continue on a path of pain when there are two other countries in SA that seem safer to travel to AND are opening their country to the US?

This is just my opinion. And NO, I am not giving up.....just pondering my options. Remember, I want to be a parent....NOT a martyr.

[wintak]

Our agency is in constant contact with the atty that is handling our adoption. We are being told that cases are still moving out of PGN albeit a couple weeks slower than before.

HOPEFULLY we entered PGN yesterday, I haven't confirmed that, though.

I would say that our agency is middle of the road..not being too optimistic, but also not saying it'll be a long time.

They keep saying it will be worth it when we hold Ethan in our arms. It's just so hard to wait, especially when we're this close to the end.

Amy

[marykate]

Mine is clearly concerned and encouraged contacting our congressonal reps. which I have done. I have also asked friends and family to do the same. I did get a phone call from one senator and his office reported over 150 calls and letters and they were looking into the situation. My agency is also talking the 23rd demonstration.
The agency also reports the kids will come home,but it may take longer.
Mary

[Shoshana]

I received a packet in the mail from my agency. It contains basic information re the Hague, Central Authority/Pgn, posts from Susanna, and the appropriate Guatemalan/US laws governing adoption. They also included letters for the receipients to copy for friends & family & mail to Mrs. Bush & congressmen.

They also aren't giving out referrals at this point -- even though their attorneys in GC have been receiving them. Who knows what is happening to these babies...

I don't have a referral yet. And tho' my heart is set on Guatemala, I've decided to start preparing a dossier for Russia -- just in case -- then we we find out more information in July (?) about Guatemala, I'll be able to make a decision.

[carterj6]

My agency has been very optimistic. In fact, they are still giving referrals. They are in touch with the lady who runs the orphanage they work with in Guatemala. She has said that everything is running as usual. (of course, it is a very small orphanage so I am not sure if they have had any cases that were post March 5 even reach PGN yet.) My agency keeps telling me that they have had some post March 5 cases exit PGN. They also said that they know of other agencies who have also had post March 5 cases exit. I don't want to get everyone too excited about this though because everything else I have read says that is not possible. Maybe they just slipped by somehow. It is so hard to know what to believe and who to trust at this point. I want to believe my agency, but they are telling me conflicting information from what I have been reading elsewhere. I have been very happy with them so far. One again, please don't put 100% stock into what I am saying, but that is what I am being told. Goodluck to everyone. Jenny

[Alf]

My agency has been very optimistic about all of this. They are still giving out referrals. They work with 6 attorneys is Guatamala and they say that everything is still going as normal. She also said that we may have to wait a little longer and maybe add things to our dossier, but i will bring a baby home. If Guatamala does shut down, then i have the choice of either waiting till they open up again, then my adoption will go thru, or switch everything over to Columbia without losing any money.She is very confident that this mess will be settled by the time I am ready to enter PGN, which probably wont be for another 5-6 months anyway.

Good Luck to all of you and keep up the letter campaign.

Lisa

[Cinday143]

This is a really interesting thread to me! We are almost done with our homestudy, and were preparing to select an agency. I had selected 2 VERY reputable agencies that it was between, but neither of them had a "backup" program that we were interested in in case Guat. got worse. So, that reopened the agency decision, and I found one in my state that had Guat. and Korea, which interested me. They were also holding a free info session, so I talked the husband into driving an hour on a Saturday to hear what they had to say. At the time (late May-which was before the DOS 1st scary statement!), I was 90% certain Guat. would work out, but I did want the ability to go to a different program if need be.
At the session, the agency director said something to the effect of, "one of our presentations on an international program is going to be very short." hmmmm, I thought. So she says, "Due to Guat. adopting the Hague convention, we are closing this program. It would not be fair to take your money when we believe adoptions are going to close in a very short time frame. It wouldn't be ethical." I was STUNNED. She didn't talk about the uncertainties, and say "weigh the risk, and think about a backup program." She said it was closed. She then explained all of their other programs, pushing us I felt, toward their Korean program (which I believe is their strongest program).
Now, 2 days later the DOS made their ambigious first statement. I didn't know what to think. Since then, I have re-called my 2 top choice agencies, and they are more along the lines of what other's are expressing: "we are expecting things to maybe take a bit longer. There may be additional requirements (like psych eval), but we believe it will be worked out.
So I still haven't picked my agency, and my homestudy is about 2 weeks from completion. I am waiting until early July to take the pulse again, and decide.

[Lauren57]

This is a great thread!! My agency is very optomistic about cases in progress. They have been very good about sending letters out about the Hague, asking us to write Congressmen, etc. I believe they have suspended referrals, but they have been asking people to apply to more than one program since the Hague was passed. Unfortunately, I accepted my referral before the Hague treaty, but my POA was not in Guat. in time, so I am post 3/5. They have not been specific (other than at least six months) about time frames. I have been in family court for over 2 months; DNA was done 4/7.

Lauren, waiting for Michael, 5month.

[jeniRN]

My agency has been very forth coming with information since the beginning. As soon as the Hague treaty was anounced they sent us all a letter stating that the situation was uncertain and there were probably going to be delays. The director flew to Guatemala the end of March to meet with the program coordinators and lawyers. She told us we needed to take it seriously in that things may not move quickly but they were moving forward. She came back stating that things were still progressing although they may be a little slower. She said she had been told there would be changes and the only one she had heard of was that they may require more post adoption visits/follow up reports. She visited everyone's child and brought back pictures. This was especially meaningful for us because it meant someone from home had really seen our son!

One of the things I love about my agency is that it is local. Located within 5 miles of where I work. The agency has a waiting family support group and we meet twice a month. We are all in various stages of "waiting". Two families have gone for their children in the past month and another exited PGN 2 weeks ago and is waiting for the final paper work. They are all pre-march 5th. Two other families are in PGN (post March 5th) and we are waiting our turn. The mood of the group is also optomistic. We feel that things may take longer but there is alot of unnecessary panic and fear on the internet.

Since we sent our dossier down the end of April, we have moved through translation and are in FC, the birth mother interview was 6/6 and the authorization/payment for DNA was done 6/10. As soon as we get word that it is a match we are headed down for our first visit.

As I read the posts I do not know if I am being too much of a "poly-anna" in believing that everything will be worked out. However I trust my agency and I know families who are going down and bring home their children.

What I truely do not understand is how anyone in Guatemala could honestly consider closing the programs. There is a certain part of the economy which is dependant on these adoptions. Besdies the fact they do not have the social structure to care for them. As many of you keep saying "where will the children go?" What are they thinking???

Anyway that is my 2 cents from SE Michigan

Jeni

[carterj6]

It sounds like most of the agencies are being fairly optimistic. I agree with Jeni's post about what Guatemala would do with the children if they do close. What would they do? My agency works only with orphanages. They told me the other day that the orphanages are not supported by the state (meaning they do not get financial help from the government.) They depend soley on the money from the adoptions to keep the orphanages running. I guess they do get some donations, but once again these mainly come from adoptive families who are visiting or picking up their children. We went to visit our baby about a month ago, and we got to visit her orphanage. There were 21 children there ranging in age from newborn to about five years old. There were also 8 caretakers there caring for the children. I just can't imagine what would happen to these children if Guatemala did close. There would be no money coming in to pay for food, clothes, etc. Surely, they have thought about that. I just cannot see them closing and letting all these children suffer from it. Jenny

[kto3603]

Good evening,

I had a good long talk with my agency last sunday. The director is very optimistic about Guatemala. They are having post and pre 3/5 cases finalizing. We are currently in FC and hoping to be in PGN very soon!! The director said she went thru the same song and dance with Bulgaria a few months ago and now everything is back to normal for adoptions there. She said if anything was amiss she would inform us asap but as of now do not worry our case is going as planned. Keep hope! From my talk with her I think Guatemala will eventually approve all adoptions and this will end. One thing to consider. We are pouring alot of american dollars into that country, we are supporting lawyers, foster families orphanges, not too mentions the hotels,airlines etecera,you get the picture. I think there may be a mass revolt if the government stops adoptions. Also the government cannot afford to support thousands of orphans on its own.

Joseph DOB 2/28/03
referral 3//01/03
FC:week of June 16

[Sharona H]

I see a lot of posts regarding how much Guatamela NEEDS adoption financially. I admit I'm not an expert on the Hague convention, but isn't that the point... that countries are supposed to have policies and means in place to support their children (thinking Romania here) and if they don't they can't be a part of the Hague convention, which I'm assuming may mean the loss of more financial leverage (and respect for being an independent country capable of taking care of themselves).

I see it as a Catch 22 for Guatemala... for the families "in process" I hope things keep moving along, for the agencies, closing adoptions there temporarily, not raising prospective families hopes and giving a chance for Guatemala to figure this out (it's their issue and it's their children to figure out how to take care of). Isn't the reason DNA testing is required because the cost of Guatemalan adoption and newborn infants being referred makes baby selling highly likely (even on a "country" level if not on the individual's level). SCARY